Maersk Air Cargo as the company´s main air freight offering
serving the logistics needs of its clients with integrated logistics is
expected to be fully operational as of second half of 2022.
Maersk has chosen Denmark’s second largest airport, Billund,
as its air freight hub for Maersk Air Cargo with daily flights creating several
jobs in the region. Maersk Air Cargo also announced its intent to enter into an
agreement with the Flight Personnel Union (FPU) which is a part of the Danish
Confederation and Trade Unions (FH).
“Air freight is a crucial enabler of flexibility and agility
in global supply chains as it allows our customers to tackle time-critical
supply chain challenges and provides transport mode options for high value
cargo. We strongly believe in working closely with our customers. Therefore, it
is the key for Maersk to also increase our presence in the global air cargo
industry by introducing Maersk Air Cargo to cater even better for the needs of
our customers,” said Aymeric Chandavoine, Global Head of Logistics and Services.
Maersk’s owned controlled capacity, powered by Maersk Air
Cargo, is designed to make supply chain journeys more resilient and intuitive.
As a standalone service, Maersk Air Freight can help customers make the most of
opportunities by getting their air cargo to the right place at the right time.
When combined with our ocean, inland, warehousing and customs services, it will
power your supply chain in more ways than one
The new air freight company is the result of the existing
in-house aircraft operator, Star Air, which has transferred activities into
Maersk Air Cargo, the new carrier supporting existing and new customers and
Maersk’s end to end logistics. The process of transferring activities has
received excellent support from customers, suppliers, employees and the Danish
Civil Aviation Authority.
“Maersk Air Cargo is an important step of the Maersk Air
Freight strategy, as it will allow us to offer customers a truly unique
combination of air freight integrated with other transport modes. We see an
increased and continued demand for air cargo both today and going forward as
well as a growing demand for end-to-end logistics, why it is important for us
to strengthen our own-controlled capacity and advance further on our air freight
strategy,” said Torben Bengtsson, Global Head of Air & LCL (Less than Container
Load).
Maersk last operated from Billund in 2005. From the
continent Maersk Air Cargo will progressively deploy and operate a controlled
capacity of five aircraft – two new B777F and three leased B767-300 cargo
aircraft. Three new B767-300 freighters will also be added to the US-China
operation, which will be initially handled by a third-party operator. The new
aircraft are expected to be operational from second half 2022 and onwards up to
2024.
Billund Airport looks forward to welcoming Maersk Air Cargo,
which will also support the growth of the West Danish business community.
“We have had growth, defied the corona and set a new record
year in cargo in 2021. It does not happen without good partners, and we do what
we can to make our partners good. Now Maersk Air Cargo enters the stage at
Billund Airport and raises it a notch. We are incredibly proud that we are
being chosen as Maersk's European hub for air freight, and we look forward to
developing the collaboration to even new heights,” said Jan Hessellund, CEO of
Billund Airport.
Maersk’s ambition is to have approximately one third of its
annual air tonnage carried within its own controlled freight network. This will
be achieved through a combination of owned and leased aircraft, replicating the
structure that the company has within its ocean fleet. The remaining capacity
will be provided by strategic commercial carriers and charter flight operators.